A number of cruise lines, in a bid to keep cruisers cruising, have changed their cancellation policies. Viking is allowing guests to cancel up to 24 hours before departure, while Regent Seven Seas, NCL and Oceania Cruises are allowing up to 48 hours prior. Royal Caribbean's "Cruise with Confidence" policy allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours before a sailing. Passengers will receive a full credit for their fare, usable on any future sailing of their choice in 2020 or 2021. The policy applies to new and existing cruise bookings. The world's leading culinary cruise line, Oceania, has revealed it will be heading to exotic new destinations for 2021 and 2022. The line will be visiting 10 new ports which it describes as "uncommon and off the beaten path". These include Port Arthur in Tasmania, Whittier in Alaska, Mystery Island in Vanuatu, Iles des Saintes in Guadeloupe and Panama City. In Japan, Oceania will be adding Anami Oshima, Moji, Onahama, Ishinomaki and Sapporo. In Africa, the collection of voyages explores a diverse range of locations with one-of-a-kind touring options. In South America, the itinerary includes visits to remote Antarctic locations such as Deception Island and Paradise Bay. Visit: oceaniacruises.com Family-owned cruise line Amadeus River Cruises this week announced another new vessel. Amadeus Cara will be the 17th ship in the line's passenger fleet and will sail Europe's popular Danube and Rhine rivers from April 2021. It follows Amadeus Imperial which is due to launch in early April this year. Each ship will have 70 cabins and 12 suites, all with large bathrooms and outdoor balconies with seating areas. The staterooms will also each feature infotainment systems, as well as flatscreen TVs, a personal minibar and air conditioning which can be individually regulated. Amadeus Cara's debut voyage will be an eight-day Danube Rhapsody round trip from Passau in Lower Bavaria, Germany. Visit: amadeus-rivercruises.com.au American Cruise Lines is set to launch its new contemporary river cruiser, American Jazz, in August this year, and is working towards the 2021 launch of its fourth modern riverboat, American Melody. Jazz's inaugural season sailing the Lower Mississipi will kick off with a round trip from New Orleans to Memphis. American Cruise Lines has been building up a fleet of new-class modern vessels that contrast with traditional paddle-wheelers. The new ships join American Song, which was launched in 2018, and American Harmony, launched in 2019. The focus of the new riverboats is on the views and they feature multi-storey glass atriums; the ships have three times the glass as other vessels sailing America's rivers. The cabins and suites are also bigger and there are spacious single suites, all with balconies. The riverboats also have large lounges, sundecks and restaurant options from grand dining rooms to casual cafes. Visit: americancruiselines.com Norwegian Cruise Line has launched its 2021 itineraries for Norwegian Jade, Pearl, Sky, Star and Sun, as well as the Extraordinary Journeys collection of port-intensive cruises. The 26 new itineraries feature plenty of port calls and overnights at interesting destinations. For instance, the 21-day African Safari and Seychelles voyage on Norwegian Dawn has 10 ports of call and overnights at Abu Dhabi, Port Victoria in the Seychelles, and Richard's Bay and Cape Town in South Africa. Similarly, the 15-day Alaska journey on Norwegian Sun visits five ports and overnights in Seattle. Norwegian Cruise Line's 2021 itineraries also feature new round-trip Panama Canal cruises from Panama City onthe Norwegian Sun. The Sunwill also be sailing in Alaskafor the first time. Visit: ncl.com ...you might also enjoy

Cruise cancellation policies changing to keep cruisers on the sea

The world's leading culinary cruise line, Oceania, will head to 10 new ports from 2021.

A number of cruise lines, in a bid to keep cruisers cruising, have changed their cancellation policies.

Viking is allowing guests to cancel up to 24 hours before departure, while Regent Seven Seas, NCL and Oceania Cruises are allowing up to 48 hours prior.

Royal Caribbean's "Cruise with Confidence" policy allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours before a sailing.

Passengers will receive a full credit for their fare, usable on any future sailing of their choice in 2020 or 2021.

The policy applies to new and existing cruise bookings.

Oceania adds new exotic ports in 2021

The world's leading culinary cruise line, Oceania, has revealed it will be heading to exotic new destinations for 2021 and 2022.

The line will be visiting 10 new ports which it describes as "uncommon and off the beaten path".

These include Port Arthur in Tasmania, Whittier in Alaska, Mystery Island in Vanuatu, Iles des Saintes in Guadeloupe and Panama City. In Japan, Oceania will be adding Anami Oshima, Moji, Onahama, Ishinomaki and Sapporo.

In Africa, the collection of voyages explores a diverse range of locations with one-of-a-kind touring options.

In South America, the itinerary includes visits to remote Antarctic locations such as Deception Island and Paradise Bay.

Amadeus plans two river ships for Europe

Family-owned cruise line Amadeus River Cruises this week announced another new vessel.

Amadeus Cara will be the 17th ship in the line's passenger fleet and will sail Europe's popular Danube and Rhine rivers from April 2021. It follows Amadeus Imperial which is due to launch in early April this year.

Each ship will have 70 cabins and 12 suites, all with large bathrooms and outdoor balconies with seating areas. The staterooms will also each feature infotainment systems, as well as flatscreen TVs, a personal minibar and air conditioning which can be individually regulated. Amadeus Cara's debut voyage will be an eight-day Danube Rhapsody round trip from Passau in Lower Bavaria, Germany.

More modern riverboats for the Mississipi

American Cruise Lines is set to launch its new contemporary river cruiser, American Jazz, in August this year, and is working towards the 2021 launch of its fourth modern riverboat, American Melody.

Jazz's inaugural season sailing the Lower Mississipi will kick off with a round trip from New Orleans to Memphis.

American Cruise Lines has been building up a fleet of new-class modern vessels that contrast with traditional paddle-wheelers. The new ships join American Song, which was launched in 2018, and American Harmony, launched in 2019.

The focus of the new riverboats is on the views and they feature multi-storey glass atriums; the ships have three times the glass as other vessels sailing America's rivers.

The cabins and suites are also bigger and there are spacious single suites, all with balconies. The riverboats also have large lounges, sundecks and restaurant options from grand dining rooms to casual cafes.

NCL cruises focus on overnight stays

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched its 2021 itineraries for Norwegian Jade, Pearl, Sky, Star and Sun, as well as the Extraordinary Journeys collection of port-intensive cruises.

The 26 new itineraries feature plenty of port calls and overnights at interesting destinations.

For instance, the 21-day African Safari and Seychelles voyage on Norwegian Dawn has 10 ports of call and overnights at Abu Dhabi, Port Victoria in the Seychelles, and Richard's Bay and Cape Town in South Africa. Similarly, the 15-day Alaska journey on Norwegian Sun visits five ports and overnights in Seattle.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 2021 itineraries also feature new round-trip Panama Canal cruises from Panama City onthe Norwegian Sun. The Sunwill also be sailing in Alaskafor the first time.